The Crested Myna is a medium-sized (26 cm)
glossy black bird with a whitish bill, yellowish orange legs and a distinct
black crest at the base of the upper mandible. The tail is finely tipped
white, there is a white patch in the wing formed by the white bases of the
primaries, and the undertail coverts are barred black and white. The iris
is reddish brown. The differences between the Taiwan and mainland
subspecies are subtle and probably not distinguishable in the field.

The Crested Myna is found in open areas at
low elevations such as farmlands, villages, open fields and gardens. It is
usually seen in flocks, strutting on the ground or foraging in fields, often
in the presence of cattle. A noisy bird, the Crested Myna produces liquid
gurgles, screeches and whistles, and is a good mimic. It feeds on fruits,
insects and other invertebrates. The Crested Myna is a common resident of
Taiwan.

References: A Field
Guide to the Birds of China (Mackinnon and Phillipps); 100 Common Birds of
Taiwan (Wild Bird Society of Taipei); N. J. Collar, “Endemic
subspecies of Taiwan birds—first impressions”, in Birding ASIA, Number 2,
December 2004